If we asked you—where does the #immune #system physically sit in the #body? What would you say?⠀ ⠀ Well, a large part of it exists within the #gastrointestinal tract of our bodies. Certain #cells in the #gut lining release massive quantities of #antibodies, #proteins that fight #foreign invaders during what is called an ‘immune response’. ⠀ ⠀ What’s an immune response? Think about when you get a papercut. 🤬 To stop the bleeding, #platelets (tiny blood cells) bond together to form a clot. The platelets release #cytokines—a #chemical that signals the immune system to send cells to heal and fight invaders. The injured area #swells and reddens (and sometimes becomes sore) as immune cells rush 🏃🏽‍♂️to the scene. This swelling is called #inflammation.⠀ ⠀ Within the gut, there’s a #symphony of #chatter between our #microbes and immune cells. These gut microbes function as commanders, instructing immune cells on what to do and how intensely to respond. Gut microbes also control the duration...